Lots of Love for Elders!

The Scripture makes clear that being an elder in the Lord's church is "work" (1 Timothy 3:1, NASB). Elders are given the charge by God to be involved in the messiness of people's lives--shepherding their souls (1 Peter 5:2). Elders have the burden of protecting the flock of God's people from false teaching (Acts 20:28-29). These tasks are difficult enough, but elders are also responsible for directing the everyday affairs of the church (1 Timothy 5:17).

Few of us ever take time to consider how much stress and strain elders of the church (and their wives) are under. Most of us are good at complaining about the decisions or indecision of the elders. Too few of us are really good at praying for them. God intends for every church to have elders (Acts 14:23), but men willing to lead who have character beyond reproach are difficult to find. A church that has spiritual men as leaders is truly blessed. We are blessed beyond measure at Spring Hill. Thanks be to God!

Our elders realize their responsibility. They know that they must give an account for the souls that they shepherd (Hebrews 13:17). Elders must be involved in the lives of people--they must smell like the sheep that they shepherd (cf. John 10:4). How would you feel if you had to deal with the spiritual struggles and problems of 200 people? Ask one of our elders what it is like--and then put your hand on his shoulder and pray for him on the spot. The Apostle Paul understood this strain when he said, "there is daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches" (2 Cor. 11:28). Our elders know the daily pressure of having concern for God's people here.
The past Sunday, Billy Wright resigned as one of our elders. He has served for over 30 years as one of the shepherds of this flock. His absence in the leadership will leave a void, but I am happy that he will continue to be one of us. I am saddened by Billy's decision, but I highly respect it. Being an elder in God's church is not a position to be filled, it is a work to be done. I have known of some men who continued to hold the "title" of an elder but had stopped doing the work. Such is not the case at Spring Hill.

Take some time to personally thank Billy Wright this week. Write him a letter. Send him a gift. Lift up his name (as well as Clyde and Steve) in prayer to God. Billy, in the words of the Apostle Paul, I esteem you very highly in love (1 Thess. 5:13) for the work that you have done (and will continue to do) in the Lord's church. May God richly bless you!